Don't give up on gun control

Published 5:48 pm, Thursday, February 13, 2014

The frustration, the exasperation expressed in recent days by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. is shared by anyone who is sincere about trying to reduce gun violence.

The eminently reasonable effort, for instance, to expand background checks for people who want to buy guns remains mired in inaction, at best, and, at worst, is opposed by congressional supporters of the gun lobby.

The frustration of legislators like Murphy and rank-and-file anti-violence advocates now plays out against the backdrop of a new report showing that in the 14 months since the tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, there have been 44 more school shootings nationwide, resulting in 28 deaths and 37 injuries.

Once again, these episodes raise the question: Is throwing money at school security steps the answer to this problem?

Another strong voice for reason in the conversation has been Carlee Soto, sister of Victoria Soto, of Stratford, a teacher who was killed at Sandy Hook.

Carlee Soto has said she recognizes there's no quick fix to the problem of gun violence, but that the effort has to start somewhere.

And it's not simply a matter of addressing gun possession. A gun in the hands of a law-abiding citizen is a constitutionally protected fact of life in this country.

A gun in the hands of an unstable individual is something everyone should fear.

Which, of course, is one of the strongest arguments in favor of universal, blanket, thorough background checks for anyone who wants to obtain a gun.

So, hand in hand with the effort to expand background checks should be legislative action to strengthen the system we have for identifying and treating people with mental illness.

We urge Sen. Murphy, and advocates like Carlee Soto, to keep pressing on the issue.

Sooner or later, right-thinking legislators are going to decide to stand up for steps that will make our schools, movie theaters, homes and streets safer.